The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-06
BlRREll'S BAD BRElK.
RECORD OF HAaDEE AND CAR
TER, CONFIDENCE SHARKS.
The Former n Native, ex-Pollcenan
and Political Power Of New
Orleans.

II has never been supposed that the
names John Hardee and George Oar.
ter given by the confidence men when
arrested in this city, and now awaiting
transportation TO the peniieDtiaTy al
Nashville for tenn Of ten and q hall
years each, were genuine. The follow.
ing from the New Orleans Picdyras OF
Sunday gives their history: Infofma.
ton Yves received in this city last
Thur day 10 the effect that John p.
Barrett. q native Of this city, and well
known here, had beeen convicted In
Memphis, Tenn, Of prscticing conf.
deree game there and fleeing too
trusting townsman out Of $40, fer
which he has been sentenced to q
term Of ten and q halt years In the
State penitentiaTy.
Bsfrett's first notoriety was attained
in New Orlt ana ag First Ward poll.
tician in 1876. He made himself quite
popular on election Gays with the
bosses, and was leaked upon as q elug
ger, and const qusntly a valuable man
around the polls. In 1879 he ives sp
pointed to be Superintendent Of the
Fire Alarm Telegraph here, for which
once he had no more capabilities than
that he must have some recognition
for services rendered st the polls, and
the Office has ever since been In the
hands Of politicians instead OF practi-
cal telegraphers. While officiating in
this capacity he could not restrain his
bellicuse spirit, and was frequently in
trouble, and engaged in one or more
shooting matches.
He becsme indebted TO the brokers
to tuch an extent that he was unable
TO liquidate, and left tbs city for Col.
orado 10 avoid prosecution by his vic
time.
After year or two he returned and
was appointed Commiasary OF the Par
ish Prison, but becoming infatuated
with gambling he resigned and enter.
ed public life professional gameHter.
lie WAS not considered In very favor.
able light by the fraternity, and de-
scended in The scale to bunko roper
During the years from 1884 to 1885,
while the Worlds Exposition was be-
ing held here, Barrett became asso-
ciated with shell game msnipulators,
three card monte men and sharperF,
and finally formed q copartnership
with Bosso, Rose, "Ratllesnake Jack"
and others of that ilk, and piled sue
cessful hkin games on strangers at
JacksonB Monument, Shell Beach,
Chalmetle and other places OF historic
interest or resort.
The party did thriving business
for time, but q number OF the vic
Tins "sQuealed" and the facts of the
case were given such prominence in
the hislyuns that they were driven
away by the authorities of st. Bernard
parish, and most Of the gang took
flight northwsr1s. Some went to
Jasksop, Natehtz, Vicksburg and
Grenada, Miss, and wherever they
went cases OF distress from their
swindled victims were heard. Some
were arrested in Jackson and in Vicks-
burg, Miles,, and, after serving short
terms or pyaiDg fines, were discharged
from custody. During the past win
ter sew nj OF the gang visited this
city, but the detectives made II 30 hot
for them that they left without shsk-
ing the shells or shuflling their cards.
Barrett was arrested In company
with q man named DIR. Watson, alias
Tuck Watts, alias Newton, one Of the
god brick handlers, who was captured
here in February last by Detectives
Gain and Caster, as dangerous and
suspicious character. Watson and
Barrett left he 70 together after the 18th
Of March laet for Memphis, Tenn, and
were arrested together on the 22d Of
March. They were twice convicted,
and on the goth OF March, seven days
after their arrest, sentenced to ten
years and elk months in the Tennessee
Penitentiary.
Letters were received here from
Barrett on Thursday, and yesterday
friend Of Barrett's telegraphld to the
Chiei Of Police of Memphis 10 ssoer-
tain whether the information was cor
rect. The answer came corroboratipg
the contents OF Barretts letter. He
had been arrested under the name OF
John HSrdee, ard the details OF his ar
rest and trial are given by the Mem
phis correspondent OF the Picaytme
this morning.